Fertility Testing 

Take the Guesswork Out of Mating Timing
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Planning a litter can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unsure about the best time to mate. At HomeScan, we offer trusted fertility testing to help you make clear, informed decisions and increase your chances of a successful, stress-free experience.

Why Choose HomeScan?

• Accurate ovulation detection using progesterone blood testing and ovulation cytology swabs
• Tailored guidance based on your dog’s breed, history and breeding goals
• Flexible service options including in-person testing or convenient postal kits
• Led by experience, backed by decades of hands-on knowledge in canine reproduction

​Ready to plan your Dog's Breeding Journey?

Fertility testing works best when you’re prepared. Order your testing kit in advance so you’re ready to begin at the right time, typically from day 6 of the season. Starting too late can limit your options and increase stress for everyone involved.
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Let HomeScan support you with expert advice, proven tools and accurate results. This gives you peace of mind and a better chance at a well timed, successful mating.

Why Progesterone Testing Matters: Everything You Need to Know

Avoid missed matings, mistimed travel and shrinking litter size. Progesterone testing takes the guesswork out of breeding by pinpointing the fertile window, reducing stress, improving success rates and giving you clarity when it matters most. This guide explains what to do, when to test and why skipping it could cost you more than time.

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Our Fertility Testing Services

PROGESTERONE BLOOD TESTING

Progesterone levels are a key marker for ovulation. Measuring these levels through a simple blood test helps pinpoint your bitch’s most fertile window.

• How it works: Your vet collects a small blood sample. You then send it to us using a HomeScan postal kit or attend an in-person appointment.
• When to test: Start testing from day 6 of your dog’s season. Repeat every 2 to 4 days until ovulation is confirmed.
• Benefits:
  • Reduces unnecessary mating attempts
  • Minimises travel and stress for both dog and owner
  • Avoids distress caused by poor timing or failed introductions
  • Helps predict an accurate due date for better planning

Progesterone Testing Kit (Postal)

£45.00

Accurate Fertility Timing Made Simple

Take the guesswork out of timing your bitch's mating with our trusted postal progesterone kit. Whether your girl has missed matings before, has an unpredictable cycle, or planning to travel to a stud, this kit helps identify the optimal fertility window with accuracy and speed.

Your vet takes the blood sample, and you post it directly to us. We run it the same day it arrives using our on-site veterinary-grade analyser — and unlike other labs, we include personalised advice with every result.

Why Use It?

• Accurately confirms ovulation
• Prevents missed fertile windows and unnecessary travel
• Reduces mating attempts and stress for both parties
• Helps estimate whelping date

What’s Included:

• Pre-packed progesterone testing kit with full instructions
• Clear guidelines for your vet
• Rapid same-day testing once received
• Tailored next-step advice based on breed, history and stud plans

Ideal for:

• Owners travelling to an external stud
• Bitches with silent or confusing seasons
• First-time breeders seeking reassurance
• Multi-dog households where seasons clash

📦 Return samples Monday to Thursday only via Royal Mail Tracked or Special Delivery.

Start testing on day 6 of the season. Most females need 2–3 tests to confirm ovulation. Please don't rely on just one test—timing is everything.

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Ovulation Cytology Swab Kit (Set of 3)

£60.00

Track Her Cycle with Confidence — Identify the Shift into the Fertile Phase

This at-home cytology swab kit allows you to track the cellular changes of your bitch’s season and identify when she's transitioning into her fertile window. Perfect for breeders looking to pair accurate data with physical signs, this kit offers a cost-effective, low-intervention way to monitor her hormonal shift — and is especially useful when combined with progesterone testing.

Each kit contains 3 sterile swabs, allowing you to sample over multiple days to observe changes. Cytology is based on assessing the changes in the cells lining the vaginal wall, which shift in response to rising oestrogen levels before ovulation.

Why Use It?

• Identifies the shift from proestrus to estrus
• Helps time progesterone blood draws more accurately
• Ideal for confusing or silent seasons
• Invaluable in multi-dog households or maiden bitches

What’s Included:

• 3 sterile vaginal swabs in a sealed pack
• Full step-by-step instructions and reference guide
• Expert support from the Canine Family Planner™ team

Ideal for:

• Owners unsure when to begin progesterone testing
• Bitches with irregular or silent seasons
• Those wanting a natural, low-cost monitoring method

🧪 Cytology is best started from day 6 of the season. Use 2–3 swabs over several days to monitor progress.

📝 Combine with progesterone testing for a methodical, evidence-based approach to fertility timing.

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OVULATION CYTOLOGY SWABBING

This method tracks changes in vaginal cells driven by rising oestrogen levels, which signal the shift into the fertile phase.

• How it works: Swabs are taken from day 6 of the season, ideally every 2 to 3 days. Our cytology kits include three sterile swabs and clear instructions.
• Benefits:
  • Low-intervention, cost-effective method for tracking fertility
  • Especially helpful for silent seasons or irregular cycles
  • Can be used alongside progesterone testing for a complete picture